Automatic button-pinning machine



Oct. 7, 1952 1', BASTIAN ETAL 2,612,796

7 AUTOMATIC BU TTON-PINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet l LAB) WMAETEULL/E INVENTORS ATTORNEY Oct. 7, 1952 r 'r. E. BASTIAN ET AL 12,

' AUTOMATIC BUTTON-PINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1950 's Sheets-Sheet 2 lmllllllll BEWARE A. .S'TJPULLIS INVENTORS 2 ZCaBY ATTORNEY Oct. 7, 1952 T. E. BASTIAN ET AL AUTOMATIC BUTTON-PINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 v 4 JL7/77Y A. HELLABY .EDWD A. 577BL7LL15 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Oct. 7, 1952 w T. E. BASTlAN ETAL 5 2 I AUTQMATIC BUTTON-PINNING MACHINE mp0 EBAfiT/AJY JOHN A. HELLABY EDNA/P1711. .STEULL/S' INVEN TORS 95 Z: BY

ATTORNEY T. E. BASTIAN ET AL AUTOMATIC BUTTON-PINNING MACHINE Oct. 7, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 1'7, 1950 1 5: t i=3 5% mm M 5s 1R mm m 5m n A A D Oct. 7, 1952 T. E. BASTIAN ETAL 2,612,796

AUTOMATIC BUTTON-PINNING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 17, 1950 TJZERUZYE. BASTlA/Y JUHIY A. HELLABY EDWARD A. STEULL/fi' v INVENIORS ATTORNE? Patented Oct. 7, 1952 AUTQMAIIC. BIITLIIION-PINNING' MACHINE Theron E. Bastian, Irondequoit, and John A. Hcllaby and. Edward A. S trollis,. Rochester, N. Y., assignorato; Bastian Bros. 00., Rochester, N- aa. orporat of N work.

Application February 17, 1950, Serial No. 1 4l,fl52;

.3:- Cla ms.-

lhis invention relates to an automatic buttone pinning machine-and has for its purpose to afford a mechanism that feedswire from a continuous coilor other sourceof supply and successively: points the wire, cuts oil the proper length to proe. vide a pin, shapesthe pin to afford an offset pinning portion and a semi-circular attaching por-.v tion, and inserts the'attachingportion inside the flange-of'a conventional type button such as used for advertising; political campaigns, and other purposes, in which a wirepin is removably held within a button havinga transversely curved peripheral fiange-thatreceives and holds the attachingportion of the pin.

The practice heretofore has beento prefor-m the pins and attach them to the buttons by hand", or to automatically feed and attach to the buttons rare-sharpened pins feds from a hopper into a button-attaching machine, but both of these processes are comparatively slow, and itis a purpose of-= the invention to afford a fasterand more economical procedure byreducingthe labor required and incorporating-all or the operations into one machine which cuts a predetermined length of wire froma coil after the wire is fed into the machine and its forward end properly pointed, following which thepin thus cut from the body of wire-is automatically shaped or formed to provide the semi-circular attaching portion and ofiset pinning portion in the pin insuch a way that the pin is properly centered with reference to the button, and thereafter attaching automatically. the pin to the button.

A further object of the invention is to afford a practical and efllcient. mechanism in which the feeding, pointing. cutting, forming, and attaching devices are all controlled from a power or camshaft, togetherwith a button-hopper and button!v feeding mechanism that insures a continuous feed of buttons which are successively positioned at the point-where the semi-circular attaching portion ofthe pin. is secured within the button.

Tothese and other" ends, the invention consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts that, will appear clearly. from the following-"description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention;-

Fi-g. 2" is an enlarged elevation of the wire-feeding; mechanism;

Fig. 3- is a view in front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View in side eleva tion of the adjustable pivotal support. for the feeding gripperactuator;

Fig. is a sectional viewon the. line 5175 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction indicated;

Fig.- 6 is an enlarged detail sectional viewthrough the. wire-pointingmechanism, showingthe cutters in operative relation to. the wire;

Fig. 7 is a detail viewshowing the cutters in position when Withdrawn from. the wire;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view: of the. same;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation, partially in sec-.-. tion, showing the wire-forming mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 10., showing the drive. for the wire-forming post;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view. partially broken away, showing the wire-forming post in initial positionto receive, the wire before point:v ing and before rotating the post;

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation showing the. button-feeding mechanism and the wirevforming mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a planview of the button-hopper;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 1.6: is a detail sectional View on line 116.116. of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is. a detail sectional view-showing a but! ton in inverted position in thehopper plate ready tobe ejected;

Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view showing a completed pin before insertion in a button;

Fig. 19 is a detail plan view of av button with the pin inserted;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view ofthe same;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic plan view showingthe wire after it is fed into the slot in the post and. befor o nting;

F 22. is a vertica se tional. vie o he same;

F 3 s. a Vi w s m a t Fig 2.2 showing th wire in th post; a r P inting;

Fig. 24, is a similar View after the wire has been pointe an out;

Fig. 2.5. is. a plan View o h st n. afte the post has been rotated through an angle-10f; 3% from the position shown in Fig. 21

Fig. 26, is a vertical sectional view of the same;

Fig. 2'? is a view similar to Fig. 26, showing thev post and pin after the. offset has. been formed in the pin to provide. the pinning portion;

Fig. 28 is a view similar-to. Fig. 2.7; showing the 1 pin and post after the latter has. rotated through 3 an angle of 180 from the position shown in Fig. 2'7;

Fig. 29 is a plan view of the pin and post when in position to receive a button;

Fig. 30 is a vertical sectional view, showing the position of the button when being attached to the Fig. 31 is a similar view showing the position of the button and pin after the post has been turned sufficiently to secure the semi-circular attaching portion of the pin within the button, and

Fig. 32 is a similar view showing the button and pin assembled and about to be discharged from the machine.

The invention is disclosed in a practical form of machine embodying the novel characteristics and functions, although it will be understood that other mechanisms may be designed that will carry out successfully the purposes of the invention without departing from the spirit of the improvements, and the structure herein disclosed includes in general a power or cam-shaft provided with a series of cams which control the various units or mechanisms of the structure and effect a complete button-pinning operation during each rotation of the cam-shaft.

During the early part of the movement of the cam-shaft, a predetermined length of wire is fed from a reel or other source of supply to a pointing mechanism which engages and points the forward end of the wire while the latter is held fixed in a predetermined position, after which the wire is cut to afford a length from which the pin is thereafter formed by a post, in the upper surfaces of which the wire is supported during the pointing and cutting operations. Following the cutting operation, the post is elevated slightly and turned through an angle of 90 while holding the rear end of the wire to effect the initial forming operation, and when in such 90 position, the pinning portion of the wire is offset, following which the post is elevated and turned further to complete the forming or shaping of the semi-circular buttonattaching portion, after which it receives a button that is automatically fed into operative relation with the semi-circular attaching portion of the pin, and by additional rotation of the post, the semi-circular attaching portion is wound into the button under its retaining flange, after which the button with the attached pin is removed by a suitable air blast, the post returned automatically to its initial position, and the cycle is complete ready for a repetition of the operations just described, buttons being automatically fed from a button-hopper to the post by mechanism operated by the cam-shaft in synchronism with the operations of the wire feeding and pin-forming mechanisms.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, I designates the base or table on which the various parts of the machine are supported, and 2 is the power shaft or cam-shaft that drives the various units of the machine and is provided with a sprocket 3 adapted to be connected to and driven from any suitable source of power. The wire, indicated at 4, is fed from a supply roll or spool 5, passing first between horizontally disposed straightening rolls 6 and thence between vertically disposed straightening rolls I in order to aline the wire and remove the curl resulting from being wound on the supply roll 5.

After leaving the straightening rolls 6 and l, the wire passes through a guiding opening in the support 8, thence through a guiding opening in a block 9, which is mounted on a carriage l8 and carries the pivoted feeding gripper II that straddles the block 9 and has a gripping element or Wedge member l2 adjustably supported thereon with its front end arranged to engage the wire as shown in Fig. 2, while I3 is a spring connected to the feeding gripper at one end and at its opposite end to a post 14 mounted on the carriage, the spring l3 acting to move the feeding gripper out of engagement with the wire when released in a manner that will be described presently.

The carriage I8 is mounted on rollers l5 that move back and forth over the bed of the machine in runways, see Fig. 3, to effect feeding of the wire at given intervals, the carriage when released being returned to initial position by a spring I6 connected at one end to the carriage and at its opposite end to a suitable fixed element on the bed of the machine. The carriage l0 and feeding gripper H are moved forwardly by a pivoted actuator or lever I1, see Figs. 1 and 2, provided at its forward end with an antifriction roller [8 that engages the carriage and at its rear end with an anti-friction roller l9 that is engaged and moved by a suitably shaped cam 20 on the cam-shaft 2, the cam being formed to rock the lever 11 about a vertical axis and effect the necessary forward movement of lever l1, and permit its return movement under the impulse of spring it when a given amount of wire has been fed and the feeding gripper is released from the wire.

The actuator or lever I1 is supported about an adjustable pivot at a point between its ends and to permit such adjustment and enable feeding varying lengths of wire, the lever I1 includes opposite parallel vertical walls 2|, see Fig. 5, that are supported adjacent to the Walls 22 on a block 23 which turns on a post 24, the latter having a reduced lower end 25 that is threaded into a key 26 adjustable in a guideway of a supporting block 21 that is fastened in any suitable manner to the bed of the machine, while 28 designates a key arranged in the guideway in the block 21 in engagement with and overlying the key 26 and underlying the block 23. 29 designates a fastening plate secured by bolts 30 to the block 23 and acting to hold the lever I? in fixed relation to the block 23.

The lever I! and block 23 pivot on the post 24, and adjustment of the post 24 to vary the extent of movement of lever l1 and thereby the amount of wire that is fed is effected by adjusting screws 3| threaded into openings in the end plates 32 fastened to the front and rear of the aforementioned block 21, the screws 35 being adjustable to move the key 26 and with it the post 24 forwardly or backwardly to vary the pivotal point of the lever l7. pivotal post 24 having been established in this fashion to determine the length of wire to be fed, the lever I! is moved forwardly and backwardly once during each rotation of the camshaft 2 to effect a corresponding movement of the wire feeding gripper H and thus advance the predetermined length of wire.

During the forward or feeding movement of the feeding gripper H the latter is engaged to hold the gripping element I2 against the wire by means of a lever 33, see Figs. 1 and 2, which is pivoted to swing about a horizontal axis in a Adjustment of the suitable: bearing 34; andbperated; by a. cam;

onthe canrsshaft 22;..the; forward end; of. the; lever: 33: engaging: an arm-.36. that. is pivoted; atr31l on. the.- support 8: and: rests. upon. anti-friction rolls ers. 38: carried? by the. feeding gripper I I. which. engaged: by and. rides under. the arm. 3.6.1 as the;

carriage: Ill; moves back. and forth. During. the

forward orfeemngmovement of the carriage, thelever: 33 is: operated. by the. cam. 35; to move its;

forward. end: downwardly against. the; arm. 3.6,. pressing the; arm; 36. against. the. antirfriction roller 3.8 and feeding: gripper, which under. thepressure of lever 33 and arm 36 engages. the. wire and feeds the same; a. distance determined. by the. movement: of; the. lever H; as; already; der

scrib.ed,..an.d.at the. end of the.- forwa-rd movement.

of: the; feeding:. gripper, the. front end of. lever'33; isreleasedby the cam. 35; pressure; beingremovedi from;the-arm 36; and. feeding grippenwhereupon. the; l'atterisa permitted to. swing'upwardly about its: pivot: 39 on. the; block- 3 under theimpulse. of

spring. It, so that: the; feeding gripper is out. of. engagement with. the; wire during return movenism; in. order: to point. the. advancing end of;

the. wire, and the mechanism by which such pointing operation is. efiected will now be described. in; detail.

After the; wire leaves the. feeding. gripper, it

travels: through and is. supported in grooves: in

the top faces of a block 40, see Figs. 1, 10, 12, 13 and 21,.arotatable cylindrical post 41 that. will be described. more fully hereinafter, and a supporting plate 42,..where the; wire is retained in position by suitable. hold-down. devices. to be described: later; while the pointing mechanism oncrates on. the forward; end of the wire.

Referring to; Figs. 1 and 6 to 9 inclusive, the cam-shaft 21 carries; a. cam 43 that operates a lever 44 suitably pivoted. to swing about a vertical axis at: 4.5 and having at its forward end an anti-friction. roller 4.6 that engages a collar 41 to operate; the; pointing mechanism. which includes. a. pair of." cutters. 48 formed of carboloy or other suitable hard metal and mounted on arms. 49 which; are pivoted at 50; to. a sleeve 5L. The sleeve. 51. is; fixed to the end of a shaft 52. which is continuously driven. from. an. electric motor 53', see. 1,. through a gear 54. mounted on the motor shaft, 55 and. engaging a gear 56 carried. by the shaft. 52 which is supported in suitable. bearing supports 51 and 58. and movable-slight.- ly endwlse. The. aforementioned collar 41 is. fixed on the shaft 52 sov that as the lever 44 is oscillated, the shaft 52 is moved slightly endwise, during which movement the gears 54 and 5-6 are always in engagement to effect: continu ous turning of the shaft 52 and of the cutting tools 38 mounted thereon.

As the shaft 52- is moved endwise toward the wire 4', the cutting tools are automatically moved toward each other to engage the forward end of the wire, see Fig. 7:, resulting in a quick. pointing of thewire by the rotating cutters, and; when collar 41. is released by lever 4. 1,. it. is. desirable. to return. shaft. 52 to initial position and move. the cutting tools. out. of engagement. with the wire, this being accomplished by the. following. structure.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 9, the stationary bearingsuonmtt. 5c is mounted. on. the bed I: and. sup.- nortsa. sleeve 531thatis; rotatable but held. a ainst endwise. movement: in the-bearing: and has, a tapered on cam. portion. 611.. the shaft. 52- being slidabl'e; endwise. within. the: sleeve. 59... while. 6! designates a. collar surrounding the shaft .52 mounted adjacent to the; bearing; 58 against whichlit. abutsithacollar 6|. being slidably keyed to. the; shaft; 5.2-, and; 62 designates; arms fixedly mounted; on;. the collar- 413. see. Figs. 1 and. 6;. and engaging, slots 3.3: in the. collar, 6 l, for interlocking engagement therewith. 6.4; is; a. spring surrounds ing the: shaft 5-2 andnested in. a recess 65 in the collar filbqthe. spring 64.- en as g; at its. opposite end the: collar 41; that. is'iixed on the shaft 52,. so that; when released; by the lever 44. the shaft 52; is moved to. the left with reference. to i 1 and o causing; the: cutting tools to move away fromthawire 4; from the position. shown. in Fig. 6. to: the position shown; in Fig; 7,, after the pointing operation is completed.

'Ioeffect this. movement of the cutting toolsthe pivoted. arms: 4.9; on. which the. cutting. tools are mounted are, provided with tail pieces 56. ar

1 point the forward end. of the wire: during the interval that. the-tools areheld; in the. position illustrated in Fig, 6., following which. the front end, of lever. 44 moves; away from collar 41-, permitting. spring 6.4 to return the shaft 52 to its initial position. As the. anti-friction rollers 68 move out of engagement. with the cam or tapered portion 60. of sleeve.- 59, the. arms 49 are swung on their pivots. 5.0. to the position shown in Fig. '7 and the cutting tools moved away from the. forward end. of the. wire.

During the operation of pointing the forward end of the wire, the. wire is held against turning or other movement. by the. following; devices. Referring to. Figs. 1a,, 1.0. and 12, 69 designates a hold-down plate which engages and holds the wire in the groove of the block 40 during the pointing operation, the. hold-down plate 69 being carried by anarm; 10- that is. preferably mounted upon the aforementioned lever 33;, see Fig. 2, so that as the.- lever 33. is. moved downwardly, it will operate thehold-down plate 69 against the wire during the pointing operation. and until the instant. when the; lever- 33 is elevated. to permit return of. the feeding gripper, which takes place after the pointing operation. At the same time that: the: hold-down. plate 59 engages the wire, a second hold-down. plate H also engages the wire at the. point. where it: lies in the groove in the supporting plate 42, see. Figs. 10, I2 and 13, and to accomplish. this the hold-down plate H is mounted. on an arm 12 pivoted at 13, and actuated by a cam M on the cam-shaft 2 so as to engage and hold the wire during the pointing operation and to be elevated away from the wire thereafter.

After completion of the pointing operation and while the. wire. is still retained by the. hOldrdOWl'l. devices. 6:9 and 1. l, it. is cut at a. point to. provide the predetermined length required'for the pin.- ning and button-attaching portions, and this is preferably effected by a knife indicated at T5,

7 the knife being carried by a reciprocatory support that is operatively associated with a-cam 16 on th cam-shaft 2, whereby the cam 16 operates to move the knife I transversely of the wire and sever the latter after the pointing operation is completed. After cutting of the wire, the holddown devices are elevated, the feeding gripper previously described moving backward underthe impulse of its spring in readiness to 'grip' and propel the wire forwardly again duriri'g the next cycle, and during such return movement of the feeding gripper, means are provided to hold the wire against accidental return movement, such means consisting of a reciprocatory arm I1 operated by a cam 18, see Fig. 1, on the cam-shaft 2, and operable endwise to move a yieldable gripper 19 against the wire to hold the latter engaged against a stationary gripper B0" and in this manner holding the wire against movement during the return stroke of the feedinggripper and carriage It. I

Figs. 21 and 22 show the position of the wire when first fed to and resting in the groove in the top face of post 4|, Fig. 23 shows the position of the wire after the pointing operation, and Fig. 24 shows the position of the wire after being pointed and cut to aiford a proper length from which the pin is formed. The wire having been pointed and cut, the cut portion resting in the transverse diametrical groove in the top face of cylindrical post 4I, see Fig. 24, is in position for the forming or shaping operations and the attaching of the pin to a button which will now be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 18 to 32, when the pointed and cut wire is resting in the roove across the face of the cylindrical post 4|, see Fig. 24, the post M is first raised slightly by mechanism that will be described presently to elevate the wire out of the grooves in the block 40 and plate 42 whereupon the post is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction through an angle of 90, to the position shown in Fig. 25, while th other end of the wire is engaged with the adjacent surface of the ledge GI, see Figs. 25 and 26,'causing the rear end of the wire to be bent around the periphery of the post against the outer surface of the latter in the manner shown in Fig. 25.

When the pin has assumed the position shown in Fig. .25, rotational movement of the post is interrupted and a die or former, indicated at 82, descends to form the offset pinning portion 83, see Fig. 27, following which the former 82'is elevated and rotation of the post is automatically resumed whil a flanged button 84 with its flange facing downwardly, see Fig. 28, is fed to a position immediately over the post where it can drop down upon the pin post, and during continued rotation of the post, the pinning portion 83 sasses through the space or recess provided beneath the ledge BI, see Fig. 28, to accommodate the pinning portion 83 during rotation of the post and completion of the button-attaching portion 85, and when the post is turned through an angle of approximately 230 from the position shown in Fig. 26 to the position shown in Fig. 29, the button 84 will have reached a position over the post and pin and is then held against the post during further rotation of the latter by a spring follower 86, see Fig. 30, the button 84 being retained in position over the pin and post by a ledge or wall 81 engaging its edge, see Figs. 31 and 32, until the pin-attaching portion 85 is completely wound inside the flange 88 of the button, see Fig. 32.

The completed form of the pin and its position within th button are illustrated in Figs. 18 to 20, and following the attachment of the pin to the button in the manner just described, the spring follower is elevated away from the button and any suitable air blast removes the button with its pin attached from the post and the parts are all restored to their initial positions by the time the cam-shaft has made one rotation, a cycle being thus completed during each rotation of the cam-shaft, and the various mechanisms are then in position for a repetition of the operations already described.

In order to eifect the movements just described, post-elevating means and post-rotating means are provided, and to this end, the post M is mounted on a vertical spindle 89 that carries a pinion 98 driven by a gear SI, see Fig. 11, mounted on an arbor 92 that has fixed thereto a pinion 93 which is driven by a gear 94 fixed on an arbor 95 that carries a pinion 93 which in turn is actuated by a reciprocatory rack 91, see Fig. 13, that is returned to its initial position by a spring 98, and moved outwardly to rotate the post 4| by the cam 99 on cam-shaft 2, see Fig. 1. The post is retained in its initial position by a stop portion I00 on pinion '89, see Fig. 11, which engages a stationary stop IOI on a bracket I I12 suitably attached to the frame of the machine. The mechanism just described is effective to rotate the post to the extent indicated, and cam 99 which operates rack 9'! and effects rotation of the post is so designed as to move the rack 91 intermittently and to rotate the post at intervals during the forming operations in the manner already described.

In order to elevate the post intermittently, the lower end of spindle 82 is supported by a lever I63, see Fig. 10, which is pivoted in bearings I04 and operated by a cam I05 on the cam-shaft 2 so as to elevate the post in proper synchronism with its rotational movements, and I06 designates a spring, see Fig. 10, that actuates the post and spindle 89 back to initial position when released by the cam I05, the vertical movement of the post being permitted by a pin and slot connection between the post and pinion 93. With this mechanism, the post is intially raised from the position shown in Fig. 24 to the position shown in Fig. 26 and then rotated through an angle of to form the pinning portion 83, see Fig. 25, following which the post remains stationary for an interval while the offset forming element 82 descends to engage the pinning portion and offset it from the pin-attaching portion 85, see Fig. 27, by forcing the pinning portion down into a recess in the slot of the post while the attaching portion 35 is retained in the perigheral groove surrounding the post adjacent to its top surface.

This is accomplished by the former 82, see Fig. 13, that is mounted upon the cylindrical yieldable follower 86, the latter being carried by a cylindrical sleeve ID! that is telescopically supported on a sleeve I08, while a spring I03 affords a yieldable pressure for the follower, the sleeve I08 being mounted on a supporting frame IID, see Figs. 10 and 13, which is pivotally supported in suitable bearings I I I, see Fig. 13, and operated by a cam II2 fixed on the cam-shaft 2 and operating to move the supporting frame I I0 downwardly to bring the former 82 into engagement with the pinning portion of the wire at the proper instant to offset the same.

Following this, the supporting frame H0 and gamete former 82 are elevated, the post is rotated turther to the position indicated approximately in Fig. 29, and a button is fed to a position over the pin and post with the flange of the button facin downwardly, whereupon the supporting frame I II! is again lowered to bring the follower 86 into yieldable engagement with the button, La-s illustrated in Fig. 30. After the yieldablefollowerengages the button as in Fig.i30, thepostisrotated additionally until the attaching portion 85 of the button is entirely inside the flange -oi:.the .latter as shown in Figs. 19 and v20, whereupon the spring follower 8B is againzel'evated away dram the button and the latter-removed from thepost by an air blast not shown.and--..which maybe located in any suitable point inzproximityto the post and button, such airblast'belngpperated from an air line II3,,see1E'ig'. 1-1, by'rthe 305111.43 which engagesan airvalve I l'ktorelease the air pressure at the proper instantrforvblowingi the button from the machine.after:the=.:operations described above are completed. r

In order to feed the buttonszautomatically and successively to the post 4 I, .arbutton -slide on ejector H5 is provided which is :connectedto-and reciprocated by'a bar IIfiythatpis operatedby :a cam I II on the cam-.shaitz2, seeCEigs. 1,112and13, to reciprocate the buttoneslidesatzproperintervals in synchronism with the; movements :ofzthepost 4 I. The button-slide I I.5;is:reciprocated upon; the

top surface of .plate III! and; within:platerv I120, plate I being provided withc-anzaperturerl2 I tor receiving the buttons-.fromachutei I t9. fllhejbutton is engaged by the. forward 1edge:;I22r;0i:-S1i

I It provided with arecess. I:23,;aind is carri d-t gate I24 away from the:bottom-of-,the chute I I9 to permit a button to' bei'dischal fid-into-taperture I2I and onto the :top'su-rfac'e. of.-v therbuttenslide. v

As the button-slide is movedm-reartyardly, gate I24 is returned by spring I25 therebyholdingthe buttons in the chute, the button-slide; being moved under the: button; in'the aperture I21. When the buttoneslide has reachedx-theend of its rearward'movement, the forward-edge I22 -,w;ill be clear of aperture I2 I,-see Fig. 1 2,-and the button will drop onto the top surface of plate III! and be positioned in front of the button-islide as the latter is next moved forwardly for positioning' another button over, the post 4|;

The buttons are fedto the ch tel tl from a button-hopper I36, see Figs. 14=to-1-'7yinc1usi ve, the button-hopper includingqan inclined bottom I31, and mounted on said inclined bottornr-is a rotating button-carrier plate I38. carried byan arbor I39 extending through the bottom of the hopper and provided with a 'worm gear M0. at its lower end, see Figs. 14 and 115; theworm gear I40 being-driven by-a-worm I4I,on; a shaft I42 that has fixed thereon a-pulley-I43 whichnis driven by a belt from pulleyIflyon cam-shaftlt see Fig.- 1, the partsjust-described being-mounted upon the post I45 supported verr-the fbedp f the machine. V

In this; fashion:the-buttonecarrier plate I38 is-rotated continuously in the bottom of the hopper :and whenthe latter is loaded with a supply of buttons, the button-carrier I38 carries'a supply of buttons individually and in succession from 'a point at .the bottom of the hopper upwardly to an outlet opening wherethey are .dischargedinto the conveyor chute I L).

In order to accomplish this, the' button-carrier plate I38 is provided with a .series of peripheral:buttonpockets orrecesses I46 separated by outwardly extending intermediate portions 1.4! that terminate in angular fingers or tongues I 418 which engagein ,a circular. groove or ,recess at V the outer edge of the inclinedirbottom, while [49 15 indicates narrow plates or bars attached to the buttonrcarrier-plate andttctin v to agitate the button-s in the; hopper as-the carrier plate rotates.- It isciesirableth the; bu ton l deeinthenockets 416 with t n sid of.e h.txii to t p n -toward the ca ie pla e and-b ttom o itheho per, in wh chp s tiouit mu be di charged in -th hute I t .in o e t b prope o it n d on hea tach ne ortion. of thep n. an in ord t accom h t i th .butto vc rrie t s ish d .oncutawaysothat hei neredee pith: an definin eac ooke 6 a dicated. -1.5

i shall w an appr x ma el ha 1-, Je s tha h l th ,thitl: g o a button as iridicat in r u. g I 0nsc uen aifzab ltten iseloeated in abu neee .i-n i erte po i om a illne ated-in tur t t e. l wera ea: of. the-hoppe bu t button p eit oned wit its qnen-sidee e e -th ottom-retir bee er. the .sheu de '50-:15 t ie l ah ehr a-re a n th -fia ee po ti n .o th button;amt-c r th tbu o ii heb tt me .w iereitisiarrae ed s et s eee ndaeefiecta hutt nt exniwr tt -reek? Wa t e fi an 1 .11 121. 5 111 2 1 1 Wh t nY eib he been ees t be innnection witha particularstructural e bodiment,

modificat onsai d.de a tur ,ee et inaW thi pu soi e mnr reme iea e he twe o -thei l' owinecla m -.'vYe,;c a m;= 1- n .Qm t but ni .mgqh e omn'r sinee mah iti edinem che iitm perate b a dca ha acti e; Isa-feed ar edet min 1 1 pointing mechanism andcontrolled by said camshaft acting to cut the predetermined length of wire, and forming mechanism arranged between the cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism and controlled by said'cam-shaft, said forming mechanism acting to form the wire with a button-engaging portion and to engage said portion inside a flange of a button, said cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism bein located in proximity to and on opposite sides of the form'- ing mechanism whereby a length of wire is en'- gaged by the pointing mechanism, cutting mechanism, and forming mechanism respectively while in one position.

2. An automatic button-pinning machine "comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, rotatable pointing mechanism actuated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the wire when in said given position, cutting mechanism arranged between the feeding mechanism and pointing mechanism and actuated by said cam-shaft acting to out the wire, and forming mechanism arranged between the cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism and operated by said cam-shaft, said forming mechanism acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to engage said portion inside a flange of a button, said cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism bein located in proximity to and on opposite sides of the forming mechanism whereby a length of wire is engaged by the pointing mechanism, cutting mechanism, and forming mechanism respectively while in one position.

3. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, said feeding mechanism including a reciprocatory feeding gripper and a pivoted actuator controlled by said cam-shaft and operatively associated with the feeding gripper to move the same forwardly to feed the wire, an adjustable pivot for said actuator to vary the length of Wire fed, rotatable pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the Wire when in said given position, cutting mechanism arranged between the feeding mechanism and pointing mechanism and actuated by said cam-shaft to cut the wire, and forming mechanism arranged between the cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism and operated by said cam-shaft, said forming mechanism acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to ,engage said portion inside a flange of a button, said cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism being located in proximity to and on opposite sides of the forming mechanism whereby a length of wire is engaged by the pointing mechanism, cutting mechanism, and forming mechanism respectively while in one position.

4. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, said feeding mechanism including a reciprocatory feeding gripper and a pivoted actuator controlled by said cam-shaft and operatively associated with the feeding gripper to move the same forwardly to feed the wire, an arm-controlled by said cam-shaft engaging said feeding gripper and operating to hold it against the wire during forward movement, rotatable pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the wire when in said given position, cutting mechanism arranged between the feedin mechanism and pointing mechanism and operated by said cam-shaft acting to cut the wire, and forming mechanism arranged between the cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism and operated by said cam shaft, said forming mechanism acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to engage said portion inside a flange of a button, said cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism being located in proximity to and on opposite sides of the formin mechanism whereby a length of wire is engaged by thepointing mechanism, cutting mechanism, and forming mechanism respectively while in one position.

5. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, said feeding mechanism including a pivoted feeding gripper, a carriage on which the feeding gripper is pivotally mounted, a pivoted actuator controlled by said cam-shaft and engaging said carriage to move the same forwardly to feed the wire, spring means connected to the carriage for returning it, an arm controlled by said cam-shaft engaging said gripper and operating to hold it against the wire during forward movement, spring means connected to the feedin gripper and operating to move it away from the wire, rotatable pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the same when in said given position, cutting means arranged between the feeding mechanism and pointing mechanism and controlled by said cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the wire, and forming means arranged between the cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism and controlled by said cam-shaft, said forming means acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to engage said portion inside a flange 'on a button, said cutting mechanism and pointing mechanism being located in proximity to and on opposite sides of the forming mechanism whereby a length of wire is engaged by the pointing mechanism, cutting mechanism, and forming mechanism respectively while in one position.

6. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the same when in said given position, said pointing mechanism including a continuously rotating spindle that is movable endwise, a plurality of cutters movably mounted on said spindle, means acting automatically as the spindle is moved endwise in opposite directions to shift the cutters into and out of engagement with the wire to point the wire and to release the wire respectively, means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to move said spindle endwise in one direction, spring means acting to return the spindle to a position in which the cutters are disengaged from the wire, cutting means operated by said camshaft acting thereafter to cut the wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft acting to'form the pin with a button-engaging Dortion and to engage said portion inside a flange on a button.

7. An automatic button-pinning machine coml3 prising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the end of the wire to point the same when in said given position, said pointing mechanism including a continuously rotating spindle that is movable endwise, a plurality of cutters pivotally mounted on said spindle, cam means and spring means acting to move said cutters inwardly and outwardly respectively as the spindle is moved endwise in opposite directions to engage and point the end of the wire and to release the wire respectively, means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to move said spindle endwise in one direction, spring means acting to return the spindle to a position in;

which the cutters are disengaged from the wire, cutting means operated by said cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaftv acting to form the pin with a button-engaging portion and to engage said portion with a flange on a button.

8. An automatic button-pinning machine comprisig a cam-shaft, feedin mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of Wire to a given position, pointing mechanism operated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with .the end of the Wire to point the same when in said given position, said pointing mechanism including a continuously rotating spindle that is movable endwise, a collar fixed on said spindle, a second collar keyed to said spindle, the collars being interlocked against relative turning, a fixed element against which the second collar abuts, spring means between said collars actuating the first mentioned collar and spindle in one direction, an arm controlled by said camshaft engaging said first mentioned collar and actuating the spindle in the opposite direction, a plurality of cutters pivotally mounted on said spindle, cam means and spring means acting to move said cutters inwardly and outwardly respectively as the spindle is moved in opposite direction to engage and point the end of the wire and to release the same respectively, cutting mechanism actuated by said cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form the pin with a button-engaging portion and to engage said portion inside a flange on a button.

9. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism actuated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the forward end of the wire to point the ame when in said given position, cutting means actuated by the cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the predetermined length of wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to engage said portion inside a flange on a button, said forming mechanism including a vertically moving pin-supporting post having a diametrical recess in its upper face to receive a pin, post-elevating means controlled by said camshaft acting to elevate said post from initial position successively to two positions, post-rotating means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to rotate the post through an angle of 90 when in its first elevated position while holding the free end of the pin and forming a button-engaging portion, means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form an offset pinning portion while in said 14 first elevated position, and said post-elevating means acting thereafter to elevate the post to a second position in which it receives a button over the pin, said post-rotating means thereupon acting to turn the post additionally through an angle of approximately 190 to engage the button-engaging portion of the pin inside a flange on a but- 10. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism actuated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the forward end of the wire to point the same when invsaid given position, cutting mechanism actuated by the cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the predetermined length of wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form a button-engaging. portion" on the pin and to. engage said portion inside a flange on a button, said forming mechanism including a vertically moving cylindrical pin-supporting post having a diametrical recess in its upper face to receive the pin, elevating means controlled by said camshaft acting to elevate said post from its initial position successively to two positions, means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form an offset pinning portion while. in said first elevated position, post-rotating means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to rotate the post while in said two elevated positions, and a curved forming wall arranged adjacent and parallel to the side of said post in juxtarelation thereto and acting to bend, the free end of the pin around the post as the latter rotates.

11. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism actuated by said cam-shaft into operative relation with the forward end of the wire, to point the same when in said given position, cutting mechanism actuated by the cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the predetermined lengthiof wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft acting to form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to enage said portion inside a flange on a button, said forming mechanism including a vertically moving cylindrical pin-supporting post having a diametrical recess in its upepr face to receive the pin and a peripheral groove intersecting said recess adjacent to said upper face to receive the free end of the pin as it is bent around the post during rotation of the latter, elevating means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to elevate the post from its initial position successively to two positions, post-rotating means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to rotate the post through when in its first elevated position and through a further angle of approximately when in its second elevated position, a curved forming wall arranged parallel to the side of said post in juxtarelation thereto and acting to bend the free end of the pin around the post in said groove as the post rotates when in its first elevated position, button-feeding means controlled by said cam-shaft and acting to feed a button to said post, and a guide wall parallel to the side of the post above said forming wall and spaced therefrom horizontally and acting to maintain a button in proper relation to the post while the latter is rotating in its second elevated position.

12. An automatic button-pinning machine comprising a cam-shaft, feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a predetermined length of wire to a given position, pointing mechanism actuated by said Gain-shaft into operative relation with the forward end of the wire to point the same when in said given position, cutting mechanism actuated by the cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the predetermined length of wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft actin'gto form a button-engaging portion on the pin and to engage said ortion inside a flange on a button, said forming mechanism including a vertically moving pin su'pporting' cylindricalpost having a diametrical recess in its upper face to receive the pin, elevating means controlled by .said cam-shaft acting to elevate said post from its initial position successively to twopositions, post-rotating means controlled by said camshaft acting to rotate the post through an angle of 90 when in its first elevated position, a stationary form which engages and bends the free end of the pin around the post, during said rotation, said post-rotating means acting to rotate the post further while in said second elevated position, button-feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting to feed a button to said post, and means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to hold a button against said post whereby the button-engaging portion of the pin-is errgaged inside the flange of the button during said last mentioned rotation. I

13. An automatic button pinn'ingi machine comprising a cam shatt; feeding mechanism operated by said cam-shaft acting. to feed-a. predetermined length 01 wire' to a given position, pointing mechanism actuated by saidcam' sh'aft into operative relation with the forward end of the wire to point the same when in said given position, cutting mechanismactuated by the cam-shaft acting thereafter to cut the' predetermined length of wire, and forming mechanism controlled by said cam shaft'acting toform a button engaging' portion on the pin andv to engage said portion inside a flange on a button,

said forming mechanism including a vertically moving pin-supporting cylindrical post having a diametrical recess in its upper face to receive the pin, elevating means controlled by said camshaft acting to elevate said post from its initial position successively to two positions, post rotatin'g means controlled by said cam-shaft acting to rotate the post through an angle of When in its first elevated position, said post-r0- t'ating means acting to rotate the post while in said second elevated position, button-feeding mechanism controlled by said cam-shaft and acting to feed a button to' said post, means controlled by said c'ain sh'aft acting to hold a button against said post whereby the button-engaging portion of the pin is engaged with a flange on the button during said last mentioned rotation, a forming wan parallel to and spaced from the side of the post and acting to engage and bend the free end of the pin around the post as the latter rotates in its first elevated position, and a button-positioning curved Wall offset hori- 'zontally and vertically from said forming wall and acting to engage the edge of a button and position it in relation to the post, said forming wall having a recess therebeneath to receive the free end 'of the pin as the post rotates.

THERON E. BA STIAN. JOHN A. HELLABY. EDWARD -A. S'I'ROLLIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 459,376 Gooding et al Sept. 8, 1891 11,119,211 Young Dec. 1, 191 1,126,202 Harcke Jan. 26, 1915 1,463,565 Wegman July 31, 1923 1,817,886 Carr 1 Aug. 4, 1931 2,054,335 Nelson Sept. 15, 1936 2,379,886 DeWitt et al July 10, 1945 2,473,116 Wegman June 14, 1949 

